skulduggery

Estimated CEFR level: C2 — Proficiency

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun verbal misrepresentation intended to take advantage of you in some way

Etymology

An alteration of Scots sculduddery, sculdudrie (“adultery, unchaste behaviour; obscenity, lewdness”), of long-uncertain origin (probably a euphemism). Relation to skull is speculative at best and likely folk etymology. The American spelling skullduggery is in keeping with terms such as skillful and willful.

Synonyms

trickery, hocus-pocus, slickness, hanky panky, jiggery-pokery, skullduggery

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